Israeli President Shimon Peres late Sunday announced that he would not attend the World Economic Forum to be held in Morocco at the end of thus month. The Israel decision was taken after Morocco's King Muhammad VI had refused to meet with him during his planned visit. According to press reports, King Muhammad decided to snub Peres because the time was not ripe for a meeting between the two leaders due to tension caused over the stalemate in peace talks with the Palestinians.

Peres was scheduled to deliver a speech at the upcoming World Economic Forum.